CHICAGO—The Chicago area is bracing for a significant bout of lake-effect snow, expected to blanket parts of the region with several inches over Friday and Saturday. Residents should prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions as the snow showers could intensify without much notice.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Winter Weather Advisory will be active for Cook, DuPage, Lake, and southern Will counties. This advisory warns of potential travel disruptions and reduced visibility as the snow begins to accumulate.

As Friday evening progresses, conditions are expected to worsen. A Winter Storm Watch will take effect from 6 p.m. Friday through noon on Saturday for southern and central Cook County. This watch indicates the potential for more severe winter weather, which could impact daily activities and travel plans.

For those in Lake and Porter counties in Northwest Indiana, a Winter Storm Warning will be in place from 3 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday. This warning suggests the likelihood of heavy snowfall and hazardous road conditions that may pose significant challenges for commuters.

ABC7’s Accuweather Meteorologist Tracy Butler advises that the snow will begin to arrive in Illinois between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday, with snowfall rates potentially reaching an inch per hour. The intensity of the lake-effect snow can increase abruptly, catching people off guard.

Butler said the lake-effect snow could intensify very quickly with little warning.

Butler said the more intense lake-effect snow will move into Northwest Indiana starting from 3 p.m. through 6 p.m. Saturday. Intense bursts of snow could fall at a rate of two to three inches of snow per hour.

From Friday through Saturday, parts of Northwest Indiana near the lake could get 6-10 inches of snow.

Other parts of Northwest Indiana and in Illinois along the lakeshore could receive four-six inches of snow.

Parts of Cook County, eastern Will and Kankakee counties could receive two to four inches of snow and western suburbs could get one to two inches of snow.

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